Commutator-controlling device for printing tabulators



Aug. 5, 1930. a F. DALY 1,772,211

COIIUTATOR CONTROLLING DEVICE'FOR PRINTING TABULATORS Filed Nov. 18. 1926 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Snow H60;

GEORGE F. DALY Aug. 5, 1930. G. F. DALY 1,172,211

COIIUTATOR CdNTROLLING DEVICE FOR PRINTING TABULATORS Filed Nov. 18. 1926 s Sheets-Sheet 2 avwemtoz {p GEORGE E DALY $33 amen wig Aug. 5, 1930. s. F. DALY 1,772,211

COIMUTATOR CONTROLLING DEVICE FOR PRINTING TABULATORS Filed Nov. 18, 1926 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 L {June/mica GEORGE F. DALY Aug. 5, 1930. 'G. F. DALY 1,772,211

COMMUTATOR CONTROLLING DEVICE FOR PRINTING TABULATORS Filed Nov. 18, 1926 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Svwemfloz GEORGE F. DALY $5 elf tome G. F. DALY Aug. 5, 1930.

COMIUTATOR CONTROLLING DEVICE FOR PRINTING TABULATORS Filed Nov. 18, 1926 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 wiulmlmlu i 1 1 1 l llllflmmlmwml IZ 771 21 1 4 llmm%ulmmwml .0 2 1. 5 2 1.

awuemtoz I4 I GEORGE F. DALY 33h (If tome Patented Aug. 5, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GEORGE F. DAILY, OF BINGHAMTON, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO THE TABULATING MA- CHINE COMPANY, OF ENDICOTT, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY COMMUTATOR-CONTROLLING DEVICE FOR PRINTING TAB'ULATORS Application filed November 18, 1926. Serial No. 148,073.

This invention relates to accounting machines and more particularly to total taking devices therefor.

In common types of accounting machines .taking of totals is effected by feeling of of the cam and the condition of flexure, shape,

etc. of the blade-like electrical contact devices. In some cases the timing changes with wear and change of spring tension of the con tact devices.

It is desirable to provide a total taking means of simplified character which does not employ stepped cams, feelin devices therefor, and cooperating blade-like contact devices which are subject to change upon wear and use.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an electric total taking mechanism of simplified character.

Another object is to provide a total taking mechanism inwhich a single commutator is employed to control the printing magnets.

A further object is to provide a total taking mechanism capable of taking readings representative of various fractional numbers from the accumulator elements.

WVhile the present-invention is particularly adapted for taking totals from an accumulater for printing the amount, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to total taking uses with printing control but has general application in taking a reading electrically of data set upon a data receiving device and transmitting the derived reading to controla coordinated mechanism.

A still further object is to provide a data controlled mechanism of improved and simplified design as set forth in the following specification.

The above objects, and others which will be apparent as the nature of the invention is disclosed, are accomplished in accordance with the present invention by providing a rotatable commutator driven in conjunction with the denominational order elements of the accumulator device. Cooperating brushes revolve about this commutator during the total taking operation and complete one or more electric circuits to control the printing mechanism at an instant determined by the angular position of the commutator. In the various fractional total taking commutators, lost motion devices are employed for the purpose of suppressing the printing of certain figures from the type bars.

Although the novel features which are believed to be characteristic of this invention will be pointed out with particularity in the claims appended hereto, the-invention itself, as to its objects and advantages, the mode of its operation and the manner of its organization, will be better understood by referring to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof in which:

Fig. 1 shows the wiring diagram of a printing tabulator constructed in accordance with the present invention,

Fig. 2 shows a plan View, partly in the section, of the total taking mechanism,

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail view ofthe lost motion clutch employed therein.

Fig. 4 shows an elevation of the printing mechanism,

Fig. 5 is Fig. 2,

Fig. 6 is a section taken on line 6 6 of Fig. 2, i I

Fig. 7 is a. section taken on line 7 7 of a section taken on line 55 of I Fig. 2,

Fig. 8 shows thedevelopment of certain ina dex wheels and the type bars employed in connection therewith, and

Fig. 9 is a detail view of one of frac-.

tional commutator.

Referring to the figures more in detail, the

roo

7 for resetting the index wheels. The machine itself is controlled in response to perforated record cards 12 by brushes 13 and 14 by means of which perforations in the record cards are sensed and control circuits are completed for operating counting magnets 15 and printin magnets 16. The two sets of brushes, 13 an 14, may be connected by suitable plug connectors to group control magnets GI which operate group control contacts GC.

The various circuits just mentioned which are used to control and operate the tabulating machine are well known in the art, and for a more detailed explanation thereof reference may be had to the copending applications of Clair D. Lake, Serial No. 639,153, filed May 15, 1923, and Serial No. 47 298, filed July 31, 1925. Inasmuch as the a ove mentioned circuits form no part of this invention, a more detailed explanation will not be given herein.

The total taking mechanism which is constructed in accordance with this invention comprises printing magnets 16 and rotatable commutators 20 with which stationary brush 21 and movable brushes 22 cooperate. commutator 20 is provided with conducting segments covering a portion only of its circumference. As brush 22 is rotated, the circuit to printing magnets 16 is closed through the commutator to brush 21 at the particular instant that brush 22 traverses this conducting segment. The energization of printing magnet 16 (Fig. 4) releases detent 23 and allows pawl 24 to engage the corresponding notch upon type carrier 25 and retain the type carriers at that particular position. The total taking mechanism is rocked by means of bar 26 which is driven in accordance with cam 27 and in synchronism with the movement of carriers 25. The driving mechanism for these rocking shafts and the type carriers is a feature well known in the art and described in the above mentioned applications of C. D. Lake.

The accumulator or counting device from which the total is to be taken may be of any conventional type with or without visual index wheels for example that shown in the Lake relayless counter, Patent No. 1,307,740, June 24, 1919. The parts designated 30, (Figs. 5, 6 and 7) represent accumulator or denominational order elements which have an angular setting representative of a number or total. These elements by means of intermediate gears 31 correspondingly position commutator elements from which the reading is electrically derived. Each gear 31 meshes with a gear 32 to which is secured a commutator element (generally designated 20). Thus each commutator element 20 has an angular setting correlated to that of the corresponding denominational order element. In order to secure a proper mechanical sizeof the parts the commutator 20 makes one-half a revolution for each revolution of the corresponding accumulator element. Accordingly two reading positions or two live spots are provided upon the commutator.

The total taking mechanism disclosed more in detail in Fig. 2, is driven from main driving shaft 35 supported in suitable bearings in frame 36. Each time a total is taken shaft 35 is rocked one-third of a revolution by arm 26 (see Fig. 4) through a train of driving gears including spur gear 37, pinion 38, rac 39 and pinion 40 (Fig. 5). Pinion 40 is connected to shaft 35 and rotates in conjunction therewith. The total taking commutators are loosely mounted on shaft 41 which is caused to rotate through one-half a revolution each time shaft 35 rotates through one-third of a revolution by means of a driving train comprising gear wheels 42 and 43 (Figs. 2 and 5) and uni-direction clutch 44. Pawl 45, cooperating with retaining slots 46 in the periphery of gear 42, looks shaft 41 against rotation in one direction, while permitting .free rotation in the other direction. Consequently, when arm 26 is rocked in total taking, shaft 35 will be rocked in one direction and through one way clutch 44 will drive shaft 41 through one-half a revolution. As arm 26 and shaft 35 are rocked in the reverse direction shaft 41 is restrained from movement by pawl 45 and clutch 44 releases to permit the return of shaft 35 to its original position. I

The total taking commutators, one of which is shown at 20 in Fig. 2, are loosely mounted on shaft 41 and driven from index wheels 30 through idler gears 31 (Fig. 5). The gear ratio is such that commutator 20 will make one-half a revolution while Wheel 30 is making a complete revolution. The mechanical construction and manner of operation of one type of index wheels which may be employed in connection with this invention is illustrated and described in detail in the above mentioned Lake relayless counter patent and forms no part of this invention.

Commutator 20 comprises a conducting ring 25 (Fig. 6) against which stationary brush 21, supported in brush holder 50. is pressed and makes an electric connection. In sulating segments 51 are inserted in conducting ring 25 for a purpose to be hereinafter cally opposite points in insulating ring 27,

' the position which so that an electric circuit is completed once through one segment or the other during each one-half revolution of brush 22 and at the particular instant that the brush traverses one of these segments.

In the type of commutator employed in connection with an index wheel and type bar divided into tenths, the internal brush 22 is connected to and driven from shaft 41. Consequently, the brush makes one-half a revolution each time a total is taken and in so doing makes a contact with one of the conducting segments 52 of the commutator. The circuit thus completed includes common brush 53 (Fig. 2) by means of which current is supplied to shaft 41, brush 22, conducting segment 52, ring 25, brush 21, brush holder 50 and the connecting wire to printing magnet 16. Printing magnet 16 is thus energized by the above circuit at the instant brush 22 traverses segment 52 and releases detent 23 and pawl 24 (Fig. 4) locking the type bar in it has at that time assumed.

Inasmuch as in the usual type of printing tabulator no electric impulse is required to control the type to print a zero, insulating se ments 51 are so positioned with respect to brush 21 that, when conducting segment 52 is located in accordance with a zero on the index wheel, brush 21 will at that instant be in contact with insulating segment 51 and the circuit to printing magnets 16 thereby broken.

Inasmuch as an asterisk is to be printed each time a total is taken, an asterisk commutator 47 (Figs. 2 and 6) is provided which s driven directly from shaft 35 through unidirectional clutch 54. Commutator 47 is pre vented from reverse rotational movement when shaft 35 is rocked in a reverse direction by means of pawl 55 cooperating with a ratchet 56 secured to the commutator. The commutator is provided with conducting segments 57 and insulating portions 58 against which brushes 60 and 61 are positioned and make a contact. Since shaft 35 makes onethird of a revolution each time a total is taken, the commutator 47 is provided with three conducting and three insulating segments, so that a circuit is completed to the asterisk rinting magnets once during each one-thir of a revolution. U g

In adding fractions upon tabulating machines, it is the present practice to use special gearing for the fraction wheels of the accumulator and punch in the record card the number or index position designating only the numerator of the fraction. The higher numbers are never punched. For example 6/7 would be punched as 6 and the-special gearing for counter element would cause the said element to turn 6 points out of a possible 7 to enter the amount of the fraction in the accumulator. Heretofore for printing fractions specially cut cams have been provided. With the present accumulator reading device special provision must be made for reading the fractional elements since the type carriers are displaced upon a ten point cycle. Ac-

cordingly for each fraction there is a special type bar which is blank in its upper positions as indicated at 60 ,(Fig. 8).

Inasmuch as the reading device and type carriers are displaced simultaneously lost motion operating connections are provided between the driving devices and the brush to suppress the brush movement while the blank spaces upon the type bars are passing the reading line.

This is accomplished by leaving blank spaces at the top of the type bars and by providing a lost motion device to prevent picking of the internal brushes cooperating with the commutator in total-taking until the blank spaces on the type bar have traversed the printing position. However, after the brushes have been picked up by the lost motion device, they must be rotated through an are equal to one-half a revolution during the remainder of the printing cycle. One means of achieving the above result is illustrated in detail in Fig. 2 in connection with a wheel adapted to be controlled by an index wheel graduated in ninths. Internal brush 62 cooperating with the ninths commutator 51 is driven from main driving shaft 35 through uni-directional clutch 63, lost motion clutch 64 and gear wheels 65 and 66, to the latter of which brush 62 is rigidly attached. The

Uni-directional clutch 63 is similar t6 clutches 44 and 54. Lost motion clutch 64, which is shown more in detail in Figs. 3 and 7, comprises a disc 67 which is driven directly portion of the type bars by uni-directional clutch 63whenever rota- I tion. of shaft 35 takes place in the required direction. Gear wheel 65 is provided with pins 70 which project into arcuate slots 71 in disc 67 (see Fig. 7). When shaft 35 and disc 67 have rotated through an arc suflicient v to allow 'pins 70 to completelytraverse slots 71, gear wheel 65'will be picked up and rotated in conjunction with gear 66 and brush 62 through the remainder of the cycle of of;-

movement of shaft 35, however, gear wheel 65 is prevented from reverse rotation by 'eration, of shaft 355 During the reverse means of the friction provided by springs'72 (see Fig. 2). Disc 67 will be carried in a reverse direction with shaft 35 until the end of slot 71 is reached, when clutch 63 will be gear wheel 65.

The electrical operation fofthe fractional commutator just described is similar to that of the tenths commutator, a circuit being completed to the printing magnet at an instant determined by the angular position of the commutator.

A modified form of commutator which may be employed in connection with an index wheel divided into siXths is shown in Fig. 9. This commutator differs from those just described in that four conducting segments are provided instead of two, and consequently, the rotating brush must be carried through 90 degrees after it has been picked up by the lost motion clutch, instead of through 180 degrees. By providing a commutator of this type, the ratio of the driving gears between shaft 35 and the movable brush is such that the structure is more compact than would be the case were it necessary to revolve the brush through one-half a revolution after it has been picked Index wheels controlled in accordance with sixths, fifths and fourths are adapted to transfer twice per revolution to avoid wide blank spaces between the numbers thereon. The type bar adapted to cooperate with the sixths index Wheel is provided with blank spaces at the top, (see Fig. 8) and the total taking brush is driven through a lost motion device to compensate therefor. The type bar associated with the fifths wheel, however, is provided with two sets of type, so that the figure printed may be that of the desired fraction irrespective of which half of the index wheel may contain the designated number. The fourths wheel is provided with two sets of graduations and blank spaces are provided at the top of the cooperating type bars, consequently a lost motion clutch must be employed in driving the totaling brush. In order to economize space, the thirds wheel is shown divided into four positions and the halves wheel into five positions. The type bars adapted to cooperate therewith are shown in Fig. 8.

In a machine constructed in accordance with this invention, the total taking mechanism is subjected to an intermittent rotational movement. As a result the strains are less than those imposed upon mechanism undergoing suddenstopping and starting which is required by reciprocating parts. Further more, the exact position of all moving parts at any particular instant may be positively determined and is not dependent upon such elements as'contact blades which are subject to wear or spring flexure.

Thisinvention has been described as applied to atotal taking mechanism. In order to simplify the disclosure, however, it is capa- .ble. of a more general use wherever it is desirable to control certain mechanism in accordance with data entered into denominational order elements. The data may be other than a total and the controlled mechanism is not limited to a printingbank but may be any other desired type of data controlled devices.

Although the above invention has been shownand described as applied to'a particular mechanism operating in a specific manner, it is not to be limited thereto but only in accordance with the scope of the invention as defined by'the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a data controlled device, means. for receiving and retaining entries in accordance with data, means for analyzing said entries, comprising a brush element and a commutator elem ent, means for positioning one of said elements in accordance with said entries, and means for moving the other of said elements to derive a reading from said analyzing means.

2. In a data controlled device, means for receiving and retaining entries in accordance with data, means for analyzing said entries, comprising a brush and commutator, means for relatively positioning said brush and commutator in accordance with said entries, and means for moving said brush for deriving a reading from said analyzing means.

3. In a data controlled device, means for receiving and retaining entries in accordance with data, means for analyzing said entries comprising a brush and commutator, means for positioning said commutator in accordance with said entries and means for moving said brush for deriving a reading from said commutator.

4. In an accounting machine including denominational order elements by, means of which entries in accordance with data are received and retained, a data controlled de vice, means for deriving data from said elements comprising a rotatable commutator and a brush associated therewith, means for positioning said. commutator in accordance with said elements, and means for moving said brush for deriving a reading from said commutator and controlling thereby said data controlled device.

5. In an accounting machine including data controlled, denominational order elements and mechanism actuated thereby, a device for deriving data from said elements comprising a commutator positioned by certain of said elements. a'movable brush cooperating therewith, and an electric circuit for controlling said mechanism by said brush.

6. Inan accounting machine including an accumulator, denominational order elements and recording mechanism, a totaling device comprising arotatable commutator and .a movable brush associated therewith whereby an electric circuit is completed to said recording mechanism, the time of completion of said circuit depending upon the angular position of said commutator.

7. In an accounting machine including an accumulator, denominational order elements and printing mechanism, a totaling device comprising rotatable commutators, the angular position of said commutators being controlled by said elements, a pair of brushes coperating with each of said commutators, one of the said brushes being'revolvable during the total taking operation, and an elec tric circutfor actuatng said printing mechanism, said circuit being controlled by said brushes in accordance with the angular position of said commutators.

8. In an accounting machine including an accumulator, denominational order elements and printing mechanism, a totaling device comprising a rotatable commutator having insulating and conducting segments, said commutator being positioned in accordance with the index number set up on said elements and a rotatable brush cooperating with said commutator, said brush being adapted to traverse said commutator upon a total taking operation whereby contact is made with one of said conducting segments and a circuit completed to control said printing device at a time depending upon the angular position of said commutator.

9. A total taking device comprising a-rotatable commutator, means for positioning said commutator in accordance with the total to be taken, movable brushes cooperating with said commutator and means for actuating a total recording device controlled by said brushes.

10. A total taking mechanism comprising a main driving shaft'and a secondary shaft driven thereby, a rotatable commutator mounted on said secondary shaft and revolvable independently thereof, means for revolving said commutator in accordance with the number to be printed, a brush attached to said secondary shaft and adapted to cooperate with-said commutator whereby a circuit is completed at a time correspond ing to the angular position thereof.

11. A total taking device comprising a denominational order element on which the total to be taken is set up. a rotatable commutator controlled by said element, a brush mounted for rotation about the commutator and adapted to cooperate therewith, and means for driving'said brush during total taking comprising a main driving shaft and lost motion device'connecting said brush to said shaft.

12. A total taking device comprising an ac o5 cumulator including denominational order elements on which the desired total is set up, a rotatable commutator mechanically connected to said elements and positioned thereby, a movable brush for cooperating with said commutator, and means for driving said brush in one direction during the operation of total taking comprising a main driving shaft and an uni-directional clutch connecting said brush to said shaft.

13.- In an accounting machine including an accumulator, a denominational order elementment and printing mechanism, a totaling device comprising a rotatable commutator positioned in accordance with the angular positiorf'of said element, a revolva-ble brush cooperating with said commutator, means for revolving said brush during the operation of total taking, said means comprising a main driving shaft and connecting links including a uni-directional clutch and lost motion device, a gear train for driving said brush in accordance with said shaft during a portion of the time during which said shaft is rotated in one "direction, and releasing said brush from said shaft during rotation thereof in the opposite direction, and an electric circuit connecting said brush to said printing mechanism, the time of completion of said circuit being determined by the angular position of said commutator.

14. An accounting device comprising in combination with an entry receiving device having a pluralty of of elements and a reading device therefor comprising commutator and brush means individual to the elements and mechanism for positioning one of said means In accordance with the entry in said .device upon said elements and mechanism for displacing the other of said means for causing analyzing of the entry.

15. A device of the class described com prising in combination an accumulator and means for reading the total thereon and electrically controlling another mechanism in accordance therewith while retaining the total on the accumulator, said means including rotary commutator and brush meanswhich are relatively displaced in accordance with the amount standing upon the accumulator and means for initiating electrical controlling impulses in accordance with the relative dis placement of said commutator and brush means.

16. A data controlled device including in combination with means for receiving and retaining entries of data, mechanism to be electrically controlled thereby, and analyzing means comprising a commutator and a brush for analyzing the entries in the data receiving means while retaining the entry thereon and having provision for thereby controlling the aforesaid mechanism by initiating timed electrical controlling impulses differentially timed according to analysis of said receiving and retaining means.

17. A data controlled device including in combination with means for receiving and retaining entries of data mechanism to be controlled thereby, and analyzing means comprising a brush and commutator which are relatively set in accordance with an entry and means for further causing other relative movement of the commutator and brush while retaining the entry on the entry receiving means to derive the reading and control the aforesaid mechanism.

18. In a machine of the class described a device for'receiving entries and means for analyzing. entries therein comprising relatively movable commutator and brush elements having predetermined relative positions corresponding to each entry in said de vice and means for efiecting relative movement of said elements to search the several relative positions.

19. In a machine of the class described, a plurality of entry receiving devices and mechanism associated with each to effect a set up corresponding to data-standing there- 'receiving device and means for impartingadditional relative motion to said brush and commutator to initiate impulses timed differentially from the time of starting of said additional motion according to the initial p'ositions of said brush and commutator.

21. In a machine of the class described, an entry receiving device for manifesting by a plurality of positions a plurality of data readings, a commutator element having a. single conducting segment and a cooperating brush element to initiate differentially timed impulses corresponding to the different reading positions of said entry receiving device, means for relatively positioning said elements according to the position of said entry receiving device and means for effecting additional motion between said elements to initiate the proper timed impulse.

22. In a machine of the class described, an entry receiving device for manifesting by a plurality of positions a plurality of data readings, a commutator element having a single conducting segment and a cooperating brush element to initiate differentially timed impulses corresponding to the different reading positions of said entry receiving device, means for driving one of said elements from ferentially timed according to the relative displacement of the brush and commutator.

24.. A data controlled device including means for receiving and retaining entries of data, mechanism to be electrically controlled thereby and analyzing means comprising a brush and commutator for analyzing the entries in the data receiving means and means controlled by the brush and commutator for initiating timed electrically controlling impulses diiierentially timed according to analysis of said receivingand retaining means to manifest the reading of the latter by said electrically controlled mechanism.

In testimony whereof I hereto aifix my signature.

GEORGE F. DALY. 

